Folding boat



R. 'W. POST FOLDING BOAT Nov. 8, 1932.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5, 1931 Inventor Allomcy R. w. POST FOLDING BOAT Nov. 8, 1932 Filed June 3, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet I nvenlor A llomey R. w. POST FOLDING BOAT Nov. 8 1932.

Filed June 3, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 WX N Inventor fZ/Vfas 2f 6 ww S N MN MN m w K \N QN m\ EN 1 l I |1 b D 7 v &N a MN a w w I! A Ifomey Patented Nov. 8, 1932 UNITED STATES RAYMOND W. POST, OF VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA FOLDING BOAT Application fil ed June a, 1931. Serial No. 541,887.

This invention relates to an improved collapsible or folding boat designed with a view towardproviding a simple, economical, compact and convenient structure of this class susceptible of expeditious handling and transportation to and from the water. 1

More specifically stated, I have evolved and produced a feasible and practical collapsible boat in the nature of a rowboat, canoe in and the like, and the same being composed of a pair of companion hingedly connected sections adapted to be swung into overlapping relationship the sections including flat bottom portions and foldable side walls whereby to enable the structure to be expanded into boat form for sailing purposes, or collapsed into a compact package for convenient transportation to and from the Waterfront.

The specific details and arrangement of parts will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the complete boat ready for sailing.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a view showing the sections collapsed and folded.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional View on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a similar view through the opposite end portion of the boat, the section being on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a transverse section on the line 66 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a detail View.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a removable reinforcing board.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an attaching frame.

In the drawings, in Figure 1, it will be observed that the complete boat is composed of a pair of companion sections, the rear section being designated by the numeral 10 and the front section by the numeral 11. These are hingedly connected together by awaterproofed canvas joint generally denoted at 12.

In the stern of the front section is an infiation bag constituting a float 13 having appropriate air valves 14, for expansion and deflation. Both sections of the boat comprise flat b0ttoms'15 and hinged side and endgwalls 16 the walls'l6' being joined to the bottom through the medium of canvas strips 17 and 18 defining a waterproof foldingjoint. This allows the walls .16-to be swung down into overlapping relation with the bottoms 15 ,and then the bottom parts can befolded on the" central hinge joint 12 so that the sections 10 and 11 swing'into overlapping folded state as shown in FigureB for carrying." 7

At the back portion of the boatfas shown in Figure 4, is a float 19 having a valve 20; At this end, I provide a'removable backboard 21 which forms the rear end of the boatas well as themounting for a propulsion motor, not shown, such as anoutboard motor or the like. This part 21 serves forholding the walls inup'righ't expanded spaced parallelism. Connected by hinges 22 to the upper por hlOIl of the board and'extending inwardly into the boat is a seat '23 having extensions24 testing on longitudinal cleats 25 mounted'on the walls of the boat. It will be observed that the board 21 carriesattaching ears" 26 held in place by bolts and nuts 27 as shown 75 in Figure 4. In addition, the seat 23 visprovided with brackets 28 held in place by nuts 29 carried by bolts on the side walls of the boat. The unit comprising the backboard 21'as wellas the seat and the brackets are foldable bodily, so as not to interfere with the folding of the companion s'ections of the completeboat. c f I next call attention to Figurefl, wherein it will be observed that the numerals and 31 designate stays fastened to 'thebottom side of Itheboat on opposite sides of the central hinge joint. Associated with'these arepivotally mounted latches 32 co-op'erable' with headed retaining studs or keepers 33. ,As will be seen somev of these latches 32 arepivoted to some of the stays andthe opposingstays carry the studs 33. These latches maybe swung to a position to facilitate folding of the sections of the boat as seen in'FigureB or they can be disposed to bridge the hinged joint as seen in Figure- 2 thereby retaining the boat in operative state; I 7 1 Thenumerals 34 designatepivetally mounted hooks having notches engageable' with headed studs 85 to bridge the adjacent ends of the side walls of the respective sections as shown in Figure 5 to facilitate maintenance of the walls in distended state.

The primary factors to be noted are these. First, the complete boat is primarily designed of a pair of companion hingedly mounted sections, the sections being fastened together for overlapping folding relationship. Each section embodies a flat bottom and hingedly mounted side walls. -.The hinged joints for the side walls, as well as 'the'hinge means between the respective sec-*- tions may be of waterproofed canvas orequivalent material. i

The sections themselves may be of light weight metal. such as a-luminumor' other" equivalent material. The. respective stay strips 30 andj3l'on the bottom and comple mental hooked latches and keepers constitute a novel feature of the invention. The hooks 34:,aid in 'Qmaintaining the walls'of the sec tions in an upright state. i I The unit vat the'back of the. boat embodies the rear board and the seat board c'o-o'perating with the cleats 35 is important in that it constitutes a spacer and aseatand ameans for maintaining a motor on the rear of the. boat. Moreover, the'floats at the front and rear add to the buoyancy of the complete f structure and facilitate motion in the water.

' v It is thought that persons skilled in the a body including a bottom, hingedly mountart to which the invention relates will be able: to 'obtain'a clear understanding of the in'ventionafter considering the description inconnection with the draw ngs." Therefore, a more lengthy description'is regarded "as unnecessary. v 1 p Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice if desired. I p

equipped bag beneath said seat board and engaging said first-named board.

3, In a folding boat of the class describing front and rear sections, each comprising a bottom part and side parts, flexible members for hingedly connecting the rear end of the front section to the front end of the rear .section, said .members; extending over the bottom and side of the sections, means for hingedly connecting the sides of each section to thebottom thereof, latch means for connecting the'side parts of the two sections together, and latch means for connecting the bottom, partsof the two sections together to hold the boat in. unfolded position, and, in

flatab-le membersat the front and rear of the boat which when inflated 'help to hold the side parts in raised position. 7 my signature. RAYMOND W.

1. In a folding boatof the class described,v a pair of companion'sectionaeach section] embodying'a flat bottom and hingedly mount- .ed side walls adapted to swinginto overlapping relation with the bottom when thesections are folded, and collapsible inflation bags at the front and rear of the boat to' add' to the buoyancy of thecomple te boat and to aid in maintaining the'side walls in upright relationship-when the side walls are dis tended to operative sailing position.

- 2. In a folding boat of the class described,

ed side wallsfattached to the marginal edges thereof, a removablebackboard disposed be tween the rear end portions of the side walls, brackets carried by said board, and means 1 for releasably attaching" the brackets to saidsidewalls, together witha seat board hingedly' attached at itsrear end to the upper end portion of said board 1 and said side walls having longitudinal cleats with which the 

